Describes patterns of evolution for groups of species over
extended periods of geologic time.
An era of time lasting from 245 million to 65 million years ago
in the earth's history. This era is marked by the emergence and
extinction of the dinosaurs.
Term applied to all multicellular organisms that digest food,
including sponges and higher animals.
The process of division in some cells of the sex organs that
reduces the number of chromosomes to half the number found in
somatic cells.
The study of microscopic organisms, scientifically known as
microorganisms.
Describes the details of how individual populations and species
evolve and how new species originate.
Another term for microscopic organism. These include algae,
bacteria, molds, protozoans, viruses, and yeasts.
An epoch of time lasting from 26 million to 7 million years ago
in the earth's history.
The process of cell division in which two identical daughter
cells are produced, with each containing the full number of
chromosomes.
A tiny, simple plant which belongs to the fungi group.
The study of those molecules that direct molecular processes in
cells.
One of the basic units of matter. It is the smallest particle
into which a substance can be divided and still have the chemical
properties of the original substance.
Prezygotic isolating mechanism that occurs when differences in
shape or size prevent mating between species.
The biological study of the form and structure of living
organisms.
A chemical change in a gene. It may produce a new trait that can
be inherited.
Frequency with which a particular mutation occurs.
A theory of evolution that plays greater emphasis on the role of mutation in evolution.